Friday The 13th Update

After leaving the Shark River we headed north to Naples where we had a delightful visit with the Capn's Uncle Bill and Aunt Jane and then on to Sanibel Island. The beaches there truly are made of shells, and I filled my pockets!

On Sunday afternoon we said goodbye to good friends and shipmates Peter and Debbie, and just after sunrise on Monday we were off the Venice, FL. What a gorgeous day on the Gulf: sunshine & calm seas. A few minutes after tying up the Venice Yacht Club we were greeted by our hosts Bill and Judy, just back from making a Project Cure delivery in Tampa. Project C.U.R.E. Delivers donated medical supplies and equipment to medical professionals and patients under their care in more than 125 developing countries.

Incredibly, after a long day of driving and coordinating, Judy took me for a much needed trip to the grocery store, and then we all enjoyed dinner together.

Our original plan had been to stay at least two nights in Venice, but a cold front threatened and off we went at sunrise Wednesday. After another fabulous Gulf day, we arrived at the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina, our "home" for a month.

Our slip is walking distance from shops, restaurants, museums, and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club where we enjoyed lunch with fellow CCA members on Thursday. It feels good to be settled in for a bit - with much to look forward to: time with friends and family; taking the trolley to the beach; the Saturday Morning Farmer's Market; weekend cruises; and the Zac Brown Band in concert.

Moon Dance

Maybe we left a day too soon, but after a few days of heavy winds and cooler temperatures, we were anxious to leave Key West and so we headed out into the 20kt winds and choppy seas at sunrise Wednesday morning. By 9AM I was prone on the port side settee not really enjoying my first trip on the Gulf of Mexico. After a long bouncy day, at last were were rewarded by dropping anchor along the isolated shores of the Shark River amid the Florida Everglades. Postings on the boating guide 'Active Captain' noted an abundance of wildlife in the area, including birds, dolphins and alligators. We saw a few pelicans and shore birds but little else. After dark we scanned the shoreline with a flashlight looking for the beady red eyes of the gators, but saw nothing. With temperatures hovering in the high 40's it was just too cold. Even the stars were dimmed by an almost full moon.

After a long day on the water, and another full day ahead of us, it was early to bed. Just after turning out the light I heard heavy breathing outside our porthole. "Gator" I thought, and ran upstairs to check it out. I threw open the cockpit door and the breath sounded close enough to touch. I shrieked, slammed the door, and ran for our new handheld "Super Spot" light. The Cap'n heard the commotion and joined me in the salon. Together we ventured into the cockpit. Just as the Cap'n aimed the spot towards shore a dolphin shot straight up out of the water into the beam of light. "Did you see that?" the Cap'n gasped. We watched in awe as he (she?)continued to jump, dive and frolic in the moonlight, finally disappearing into the dark water.

You don't need an abundance of wildlife to leave a lasting impression - just one graceful dolphin will do.